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Thomas Innocenti III Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 22, 2024.

Thomas "Tom," Innocenti III, 63 years of age, passed peacefully into the arms of his loving Savior, August 13, 2024. Tom left behind a legacy of service, love, and dedication.

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia on December 10, 1960, Tom lived a life filled with adventure, faith, and unwavering commitment to his family, his country and his God.

The beloved husband of Tammy Innocenti, Tom was a devoted father to his children: Thomas Innocenti IV (Sarah), Cynthia Vega (Cesar), Brent Benedict, and Nathan Benedict and a proud grandfather to Juniper, Hazel, and Caleb. Tom was a cherished son of Thomas Innocenti Jr., and Laura Belle Innocenti, a loving brother to Trevor Innocenti (Wendy) and Laura Klein (Chuck), and the treasured best friend of Aaron Hooks. His love and dedication to his children shone in his development of personal relationships with each child.

Tom was a 1983 graduate of West Liberty College, West Virginia, where he also took part in the Marine Corps' undergraduate commissioning program. His commitment to his country began shortly thereafter. During his remarkable 24-year military career, Tom (call sign Cherry) served as an F-4 and F-18 Fighter Pilot, R4B Reconnaissance Officer, and Squadron Commander. Tom was a true American hero. He bravely served in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. For his outstanding service he was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Air Medal for strike/flight, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy and Marines Corps Achievement Medal.

Even after retiring from the Marine Corps, Tom continued to serve his country as a sales director utilizing his uncanny ability to build relationships, working to provide essential products and services to the military and working closely with NATO allies worldwide.

In addition to his service to family, country and God, Tom had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. As a passionate traveler and an avid scuba diver, he explored some of the world's most beautiful regions with his wife, friends, and family and he loved officiating high school football. For the last 35 years, he served with the same crew, sharing his love for the sport and his commitment to excellence. At a recent meeting of the association, the outpouring of respect and admiration for Tom was stunning. He was truly loved. One of his colleagues told the membership that they had lost the best line judge the association had ever had. Tom's character, his dedication to preparation, and his endless commitment to others around him embodied the very essence of the man he was.

Tom loved his God with all his heart and soul and was determined to please the Lord. Consequently, he was very disciplined in reading his study bible in the morning and made time every day to watch videos of teachings of the Word of God. His thirst to understand God's will for his life was remarkable and those around him benefited from this commitment and love for the Lord.

He especially loved Psalm 51. It was his fervent prayer that all his family and friends would come to know and follow his Lord and Savior. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." (Psalm 51: 10,12 KJV)

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Our Daily Bread Ministries, a daily devotional organization that was close to Tom's heart. https://secure.ourdailybread.org/planned-giving/#memory-giving

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

December 26, 2024

Michael Folgate posted to the memorial.

December 26, 2024

SgtMaj Terry Jessip posted to the memorial.

December 8, 2024

Kavil Musikasinthorn posted to the memorial.

25 Entries

Michael Folgate

December 26, 2024

I flew many flights with Tom in his backseat. While I was the OpsO at VMFA(AW)-121, he was assigned to us and flew many combat missions from Al Jaber, Kuwait into Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom I. I had the privilege of flying with him many times into combat as his Weapons Systems Officer. He had such a great attitude and was always positive no matter the situation. Tom will be missed by all that knew him and I will always be grateful to have known him and flown with him. Semper Fi Tom, Michael Folgate, LtCol, USMC Ret

SgtMaj Terry Jessip

December 26, 2024

I had the privilege of serving with "Cherry" in VMFA(AW) 121 in 1998, he was our squadron's officer and was the go-to Marine with a smile on his face that helped get the squadron from point A to B and encouraged his Marines to be their best. I'm so grateful to have known Thomas "Cherry" Innocenti III as his squadron's SgtMaj. Semper Fi until we meet again.

My condolences to his family and loved ones.

SgtMaj Jessip

Kavil Musikasinthorn

December 8, 2024

I had the pleasure of working with Tom for several years. His positive attitude and infectious smile always brightened my day. We shared many great memories, including trips together and quality time at my Florida home. I will miss you dearly, Tom. You were a truly special friend.

Ian Glen

October 8, 2024

I was lucky enough to work with Tom for many years and it was my privilege to have him as my office neighbor for the last couple of years. Quite simply one of the nicest, bravest, hardest-working and optimistic blokes any of us will ever meet. "Almost Heaven..." Miss you Tom.

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Dean Bishop

September 19, 2024

To Tammy and the family from all of Tom's Royal New Zealand Air Force friends we are so saddened to hear of Tom's passing. Tom was a great friend to many of us through our work with Teledyne. I recall him telling me how much he enjoyed visiting New Zealand, even scuba diving. I can't quite believe he is gone, but I am so grateful to have meet him and to have stayed in touch. Only a couple of months ago we were catching up over a coffee here in Pax River MD.

God Bless

Dean Bishop

Stephen Hall

September 17, 2024

Thomas is a great guy and will be missed!

Liz Corpuz

Planted Trees

Peter Alexander

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Matthew Noel

September 5, 2024

I worked with Tom for a short time at Teledyne. He was friendly, outgoing and always made sure he left you with a smile. It was a privilege to have been able to get to know him in the time I did. My sincere condolences to his family.

John Canton

September 5, 2024

I first heard Tom Innocenti´s name in 2003 and it just kept popping up whenever I met our military customers.
He was a combat veteran fighter pilot who lived the life as an Officer of Marines for 24 years. This is who I was looking for: someone who could move comfortably within the operational levels of our military customer base. Plus, he already had a few years´ experience as a civilian promoting a product line for SimAuthor in Boulder, CO. I made email contact with Tom and he scheduled a meeting at an upscale and elegant Boulder CO hotel.
I walked through the high, wide entry into a spacious lobby and immediately saw someone about 50 ft away start walking towards me. It took a second to focus and I stopped walking, my jaw dropping in surprise. He did the same.
"Charlie Douglas?" I muttered in amazement at the same time that he asked "John Canton?"
We absolutely could not believe it. In a flash we both realized that we already knew each other. Charlie was "C. Douglas, CEO of SimAuthor," for whom Tom Innocenti worked, and the man I was about to meet. Ten years before, we were with different companies and neither of us had associated our names with our new positions.
That fundamentally changed the nature of our meeting. We already had a close personal relationship and that put the kabash on the possibility of luring Tom over to Teledyne (TDY). I would absolutely not poach anyone off Charlie; Tom was off-limits!
18 months later a mutual friend, Bill Duncan, made contact and said Tom was interested in exploring a possible position and could he call? The rest is history.
A week later, I met Tom at a snack bar in the Del Mar beach area of Camp Pendleton. I had no idea what he looked like but when he stood up, he fit my mental image exactly: medium height, athletically fit, close-cropped, a confident demeanor and eager grin... your post-card Marine.
As a baseline of our relationship, Tom and I thought alike. There is no better underpinning than that which exists among Marines. It is not just that Marines are trained like that but because the Corps first weeds-out those who cannot fit the paradigm.
Tom was a perfect fit for the TDY family. Such a gentleman. Tom engaged everyone who needed to be involved.
He was always upbeat.
-- "Hey, it´s a good day... no one is shooting at us"
-- "Every day´s a Holiday... Every Meal´s a Banquet."
Tom was ready at the drop-of-a-hat for humorous escapades e.g. our annual skits in the business planning meetings:
--Recall Murray Skelton in a Proper Kilt pouring shots of Chivas Regal Scotch Whiskey for Tom from a bandoleer of shot glasses hanging from his chest? Hey, I have no recollection of how we got to that point!
--I will never forget how Tom set-up the remote-controlled Helicopter drone and the image of Darby Shields getting strafed and shot with plastic rockets sitting beside Masood!
At military aviation trade conferences, Tom basically knew EVERYONE.
Taking the civilian business road was not without bumps for Tom. But what helped smooth it was the love of his life, Tammy. Tammy was his true confidant who gave him enormous support and helped him solidify his commitment to his faith in Jesus.
Tom was the model of a Marine Officer. His word, his integrity, was his honor and, also that of the Corps. When he said he would do something, nothing could stand in his way.
In 2016 when I retired and passed over my job to Tom, it was with complete confidence that he would continue that legacy and that is what he did. We talked regularly over the years and I always looked forward to his updates, viewpoints and questions.
In business, I took pride in Tom like he was a successful younger brother, but I also enormously respected and looked-up to him as a fellow officer and compatriot, a Squadron Commanding Officer, and someone who fought for our country and led men in mortal combat.
Rest in Peace, Tom, you will be forever in my prayers. Your friend and colleague,
John Canton
Semper Fi

Alterra Family

Planted Trees

Molly Holmes

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David Green

August 28, 2024

I met Tom while he worked at Teledyne and I was working at Boeing. Tom had a beautiful smile and could bring that happiness that he showed to others he worked with. I am thankful for knowing and having worked with him and am sorry for your loss.

Richard Westmoreland

August 28, 2024

I met Tom in 1986 after checking into my first USMC squadron. He was one of the first guys to greet me, say hello, welcome. One of the most positive people I ever knew, Cherry always had a smile on his face no matter what the circumstances. I never met his family, but they should be proud of the good man, positive leader that all of us, his fellow Marines, knew him to be.

Eric Remond

August 27, 2024

I worked with Tom for the past 10 years and went on business trips with him on numerous occasions.
He was always upbeat and spread happiness around him wherever he was.
His cheerful and joyful voice will keep echoing in my ears for a long time to come.
Tom, my friend, you will be dearly missed !
Rest in peace, Sailor.
My condolences to his family.

Brad Herzberg

August 26, 2024

I was blessed to worked with Tom over the last 13 years or so. We shared a lot of trips together visiting customers, with one of the more memorable just this past January visiting a customer in a relatively isolated area of Canada. A snowstorm derailed the visit, but we shared a lot of laughs trying to navigate the unfamiliar snowy roads in a questionable rental car. I gave Tom a hard time on this one as my skills as a seasoned Midwesterner and "expert" snow driver, finally bested what he could offer as a decorated fighter pilot :)

More than a coworker, Tom was trusted friend - to many. His love of family and God was always evident. You always knew Tom cared about you. Living in LA, Tom often traveled to the east coast for customer visits. Often I´d meet him there. It was always classic Tom to arrive well after midnight - yet he´d make sure to schedule breakfast at zero dark thirty - not to game plan the day - but cause he really just wanted to catch up personally. How he had the energy for that always amazed, and the genuine interest he´d show in our lives was special.

Tom will be deeply missed. I take solace in knowing that now more than ever, he really is "livin´ the dream".

Chuck and Lisa

Planted Trees

Chuck Tamburo

August 25, 2024

Chuck Tamburo

August 25, 2024

Chuck Tamburo

August 25, 2024

I worked with Tom at Teledyne for a number of years until my recent retirement. Tom was one of the most positive souls that I have ever had the pleasure to know. He approached his work (and apparently everything in life) with Joy, Kindness, Respect, and Enthusiasm.

We kept up a bit after my retirement, and looked forward to our occasional happy hour, solving all of the. world's problems over a beer or wine.

Can still hear Tom's response to 'How's it going Tom' --- "Living the Dream, my friend - Living the Dream".

My friend will be missed, but his example will live with me forever.

Jess McKnight

August 24, 2024

Tom and I became great friends over the last 7 years. We shared family news, bible study verses, oh and work stuff. He´s a great man and Marine! I will miss him always.

Diane Augustine

August 23, 2024

I met Tom at a shower he an Tammy were hosting for a friend. He struck me as kind, energetic and full of life. I think Tom and Tammy were a beautiful love story that everyone admired, and when they told the story of how they met it seemed that it was love at first sight. I am happy they had so many years together of love, adventure and joy.

Mark Chance

August 23, 2024

My name is Mark Chance and I just recently met Tom. That being said, I think we both found a brother. I'm a retired Air Force fighter Weapon Systems Officer (same job Tom started out in with the Marines) and we immediately bonded. We both flew in the same airspace with the same squadrons - he was at Yuma MCAS while I was at March AFB - we both flew in Desert Shield and Storm, we both flew in Deny Flight, Enduring Freedom, Northern and Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, etc. We spent hours talking to each other, remember good friends and good times flying fighters in the service of our nation. I last texted Tom on 2 August and we exchanged memories about our first squadrons - me with the 196 TFS and hi. with VMFP-3. He closed by asking me to keep him in my prayers. I did, but I guess the Lord needed him more than we did. My prayers are with his family and friends. I truly feel like I lost a brother. For those of you familiar with the song, Throw a nickel on the grass... My brother, you will be missed.

Dave Frieden

August 22, 2024

I´m Dave Frieden and I traveled a lot with Tom to visit his Navy and Air Force customers (he liked the navy more, just sayin). We always had fun and we always won the customer over. We captured a lot of business for Teledyne. Nevertheless, Tom was very serious about these pursuits and always worked to understand what it would take to succeed. We talked a lot about these things. He would establish and build tremendous relationships with his customers and all those he worked with. He was very humble and didn´t seek to boast of himself or his accomplishments. We both shared a love of music. I will miss him. I looked for a photo of Tom, me, and John Canton taken at a Padres game in Petco Park but couldn´t find it. Maybe John has it and can post it.

Ted LaBuff

August 22, 2024

Tom was upbeat, lighthearted, and positive in the way he went about his life. He didn't let things bother him too much. His smile was real. He will be missed.

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